Local residents and organizations urge assembly to back efforts to ensure Denali National Park summer staffing

During public comment at the Feb. 12 meeting, multiple members of the public asked the assembly to press state and federal officials to ensure Denali National Park has adequate seasonal staffing in 2025.

James Ward submitted a written comment pointing assembly members to the 2023 state study on nonresident workers and urged attention to how staffing changes may affect local wages and services. The assembly also received a written comment from a Cantwell resident, Jill Bullsmith, urging the borough to adopt a resolution asking the Alaska Legislature and the national delegation to support full funding and hiring for park operations. Bullsmith detailed how seasonal staff perform trail and road maintenance, visitor services and other duties that support the local tourism economy.

A representative of Denali Education Center spoke on behalf of the center and said its summer youth programs partner with the park and could be disrupted if seasonal hiring is constrained. Assembly members acknowledged uncertainty about federal hiring changes and discussed whether a borough resolution supporting park staffing could be drafted for the assembly's consideration. Some members said the timing for a formal resolution might be tight for the next meeting but expressed support for conveying concerns when they travel to Juneau for the municipal league conference.

Ending: The assembly did not adopt a resolution at the meeting but members said they would consider drafting or transmitting formal support for Denali National Park staffing during upcoming legislative meetings and encouraged community members to continue sending input to the borough.